170 mph Vauxhall Insignia VXR Unveiled

Following its European brother Opel Insignia, the high performance Vauxhall Insignia VXR in UK now gets the Unlimited treatment which removes the top speed limited and allows the car to speed up freely up to 170 mph.

Of course with all the speed cameras and traffic wardens littered the roads of Britain today, such an option would be quite pointless. Still it feels good to know that your car can do that kind of speed if you dare to unleash it.

The main reason why the VXR can be so damn quick is the 2.8 liter turbocharged V6 engine that makes 325 hp. It can be paired with a manual or an automatic gearbox and comes with a four-wheel-drive system for better handling. Every version of the car you go for can go from 0 to 60 mph in near as makes no difference 5 seconds. This must be the coolest Vauxhall built to date!

More details on Vauxhall’s press release:

aking a leaf from the legendary Lotus Carlton’s book, the latest Insignia VXR turns up the heat still further with the launch of a de-restricted package, allowing the car to achieve 170mph*.

Known as ‘Unlimited’ option, it removes the ‘regular’ Insignia VXR’s 155mph restrictor, allowing the range-topper to exploit its all-wheel-drive chassis dynamics to the full.

Available with either manual or auto transmissions, and in Hatch, Saloon and Sports Tourer body styles, a car fitted with the Unlimited option is visually distinguished by a blue Brembo logo on its front brake callipers and a newly-designed tachometer and speedometer, showing higher increments.

Producing 325PS, the VXR’s turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 engine is one of the most advanced units of its kind, and allows the Insignia VXR to accelerate from 0-60mph in as little as 5.6 seconds for the manual Hatch, a time which is unchanged with the Unlimited option.

And with this renewed performance potential, owners can gain even more reassurance from the Insignia VXR’s innovative Adaptive 4×4 system, which provides optimum traction in all conditions. The system uses a sport differential with a Haldex multi-disc clutch as well as electronic centre and rear limited slip differentials (eLSD), and is complemented by Vauxhall’s FlexRide chassis, which allows drivers to choose between three dynamic setups: standard, Sport and VXR.

But just to ensure that Insignias fitted with the Unlimited option were safe, durable and entertaining to drive, prototype vehicles underwent extensive testing at the gruelling Nurbürgring’s Nordschleife (north loop), where 10,000 validation kilometres were accrued. The test programme is rated at ‘factor 18’, which corresponds to 180,000kms (112,000 miles) on normal roads.

“For those owners who enjoy driving on the continent, the Unlimited option lets them experience the Insignia VXR’s true top speed, combined with the peerless stability and secure handling that only an all-wheel-drive chassis can offer,” said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Group Product Manager.

The Insignia VXR’s Unlimited option costs just £250 and is available immediately through Vauxhall dealers.

Vauxhall Insignia VXR “Unlimited”: Technical Data Overview

Engine

2.8 V6 Turbo VXR

Emissions standard compliance

Euro 5

Fuel

super plus – RON 98

Number of cylinders / valves per cylinder

V6 (60°) / 4

Displacement

cm³

2792

Bore x stroke

mm

89.0 x 74.8

Max. output

PS

325

at rpm

5250

Max. torque

Nm

435

at rpm

5250

Transmission

6-speed manual

standard

6-speed automatic

optional

Adaptive AWD

standard

Driving performance

Saloon M6/A6

Hatchback M6/A6

Sports Tourer M6/A6

Maximum speed

mph

170/165

170/165

165/162

Acceleration 0 – 60 mph

seconds

5.6/5.9

5.6/5.9

5.9/6.2

Fuel consumption (1999/100/EC)

Urban

mpg

17.9/17.5

17.9/17.9

17.7/16.9

Extra-urban

mpg

37.2/7.5

37.2/37.2

35.8/36.2

Combined

mpg

26.6/26.4

26.6/26.6

25.9/25.7

CO2-emissions (combined)

g/km

249/251

249/249

255/259

Vehicle dimensions

Saloon

Hatchback

Sports Tourer

Length

mm

4830

4830

4908

Width with extended/retracted exterior mirrors

mm

2084/1856

2084/1856

2084/1856

Height (at kerbweight)

mm

1498

1498

1520

Wheelbase

mm

2737

2737

2737

Track, front

mm

1585

1585

1585

Track, rear

mm

1587

1587

1587

Turning clearance wall/kerb

m

11.4/10.9

11.4/10.9

11.4/10.9

Luggage compartment dimensions in mm (according to ECIE)

Floor length to rear seat backs

1003

1003

1086

Floor length with rear seat backs folded down

1895

1895

1908

Width at wheel arches

1017

1017

1030

Maximum opening width

1027

1027

1064

Height of boot-lid opening

330

594

684

Luggage compartment capacity in l (according to ECIE)

Luggage compartment only, up to luggage compartment cover

500

530

540

With rear seat backs folded forward, up to ceiling

-

1465

1530

Weight and axle load in kg (according to 70/156/EC)

Kerbweight incl. driver

1810

1825

1940

Gross vehicle weight

2315

2330

2475

Payload

505

505

535

Maximum axle load, front

1190

1190

1215

Maximum axle load, rear

1140

1160

1270

Maximum roof load

100

100

100

Fuel tank capacity (in l)

70

70

70

The stated consumption figures were calculated according to the measuring procedures stipulated in directive 80/1268/EEC in the respective valid version – in particular as amended by directive 1999/100/EC